Kim Kenward

Title: Director eLearning Technologies
Email: [email protected]
Office:  268C Richard M. Devos Center (DEV)
Phone:  (616)331-2131

Looking for help in designing high-quality online instruction? The IDeL team includes four Senior Instructional Design Specialists (IDSs) who specialize in:

• Providing curriculum mapping, pedagogical, instructional design, adult learning theory consultation
• Facilitating the design, development, and delivery of high-quality instruction and rich learner-user experiences
• Identifying the appropriate blend of pedagogy and technology into the curriculum
• Recommending the selection and development of instructional strategies and materials  

In addition, four Instructional Technology Project Specialists (ITPSs) support faculty in the development of digital learning through: 

• Transitioning existing content into the digital format
• Producing digital learning objects
• Creating learning activities and assessments
• Assisting faculty in using instructional technologies

Individual consultations are available, and the team provides webinars and resources to support faculty in their work to best leverage technology for teaching and to design high-quality media-rich digital learning.   Find your dedicated eLearning Technologies team members on our eLearning Technologies Support by Colleges website. 

Stephanie Balaskas

Title: Information Technology Training Specialist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 616-331-2327
Office:  4449 P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science

The IT Training Specialist is a newly created position within the eLearning team. Steph is responsible for developing and training support across various areas, including Enterprise Applications, Academic Research and Computing, Enterprise Architecture, and the IT Service Desk. One of her first set of training priorities for the upcoming academic year includes helping faculty and staff better utilize Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Bookings. 

Media-rich instruction can help solve instructional problems, enhance learning, and support student success.  The eLearning and Instructional Technology Specialists along with the Digital Studio and our Digital Media Developers provide support in the use of teaching with technology, creation of digital learning experiences through consulting services, project development, and instructional technology exploration for GVSU faculty and staff. 

One of the best ways to contribute to student success and to increase effectiveness and efficiency is to take advantage of technology to solve instructional problems and to create engaging teaching resources.

The eLearning team has assembled a wide array of Teaching with Technology Support resources to enhance teaching, including:  Blackboard, Zoom, Blackboard Ally, Panopto, Zoom and much more!

The Systems Analysts on the eLearning team provide facilitation of the Blackboard environment, including helping to advance the system to better meet faculty and student needs and working closely with our eLearning Graduate Assistants.

Located in room 012 of the Atrium in the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, the showcase is an initiative of the Information Technology department's Innovation and Research group, providing faculty, staff, and students with an immersive and engaging environment to: interact, discover, learn, and share how innovative emerging technologies can enhance teaching and improve student learning at GVSU. 

Kim began a career in higher education in 1992 as an academic library director and then transitioned to instructional design in 1996, joining Grand Valley State University in 2000. Over the last twenty years, she’s worked as an instructional designer consulting with faculty on the pedagogy of teaching and developing online and hybrid courses.  In February of 2021, Kim accepted a promotion as the director of eLearning Technologies.  Kim earned her M.I.L.S. from the University of Michigan and additional course certificates in online teaching.  In 2020, she received the 2020 miBUG (Michigan Blackboard Distinguished Member Award) and co-authored the Creative Instructional Design: Practical Applications for Librarians.  In January 2023, she received the TechLX Marketing Excellence Award and was honored with the Anthology Impact Award in July 2023. 

The eLearning and Emerging Technologies graduate assistants provide a wealth of support and assistance in our work.  The GA's assist faculty with a variety of technology, including Blackboard support.

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